A divergent variety of the Shina Language Brokskat or Minaro is an endangered Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Brokpa people in the lower Indus Valley of Ladakh and its surrounding areas. It is the oldest surviving member of the ancient Dardic language. It is considered a divergent variety of Shina, but it is not mutually intelligible with the other dialects of Shina. It is only spoken by 2,858 people in Ladakh and 400 people in the adjoining Baltistan, part of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Etymology

Exonym The term Brokskat translates to "the language of the Brokpa" in the Tibetic language. The name "Brokpa" is used by Ladakhi and Balti Tibetic origin people to refer to this ethnic group. Brokpa means "hill-dweller" or "hillbilly," reflecting their historical lifestyle as hunters in the upper mountainous regions. Endonym The Brokpa themselves refer to their language as Minaro and identify their ethnic group by the same name, Minaro. Interestingly, their ancient religion is also known as Minaro.

Vocabulary

Verb tenses